Antenna device and electronic device including the same

ABSTRACT

An antenna device and an electronic device including the same are provided. The antenna device includes a housing that includes a first plate, a second plate facing a direction opposite to the first plate, and a side member surrounding a space between the first plate and the second plate, a display viewable through at least a portion of the first plate, an antenna assembly disposed within the housing wherein the antenna assembly includes a first printed circuit board, a second printed circuit board, at least one structure interconnecting the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board and including conductive paths, a plurality of conductive patterns, and a wireless communication circuit, a flexible printed circuit board, and a third printed circuit board.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 16/384,257, filed on Apr. 15, 2019, which has issued as U.S. Pat.No. 11,277,915 on Mar. 15, 2022 and is based on and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Korean patent application number10-2018-0046889, filed on Apr. 23, 2018, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates to an antenna device and an electronic deviceincluding the same. More particularly, the disclosure relates to anelectronic device capable of including an antenna device by using arigid flexible printed circuit board (RFPCB) having flexible and rigidareas.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various electronic devices can transmit and receive a variety of datathrough a wireless communication system. Recently, efforts have beenmade to implement a wireless communication system that operates in themmWave band for a variety of purposes, such as meeting the increasingdemand for wireless data traffic or achieving higher data rates.

When a wireless communication system is implemented in the mmWave band,the number of parts included in the antenna device capable oftransmitting or receiving signals used for radio communication canincrease. As the number of included parts increases, the size of theantenna device can increase and the space occupied by the antenna deviceinside an electronic device can also increase.

The antenna device may be electrically connected to the main board onwhich the components of the electronic device are mounted. When theantenna device is electrically connected to the main board, the antennadevice may include a connection part (board-to-board connector orreceptacle) for being electrically connected to the main board.

The antenna device may require a separate mounting space for mountingthe connection part and components thereof, increasing the size of thespace occupied by the antenna device. A separate connection process maybe required for connecting the antenna device and the connection part.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination hasbeen made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentionedproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to providean electronic device capable of including an antenna device by using arigid flexible printed circuit board (RFPCB) having flexible and rigidareas.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an antenna device isprovided. The antenna device includes a housing including a first plate,a second plate facing a direction opposite to the first plate, and aside member surrounding a space between the first plate and the secondplate, a display viewable through at least a portion of the first plate,an antenna assembly disposed within the housing wherein the antennaassembly includes a first printed circuit board having a first surfacefacing a first direction and a second surface facing a second directionopposite to the first direction, a second printed circuit board spacedapart from the first circuit board and having a third surface facing thefirst direction and facing at least a portion of the second surface anda fourth surface facing the second direction, at least one structureinterconnecting the first printed circuit board and the second printedcircuit board and including conductive paths, a plurality of conductivepatterns formed in at least one of the first surface, the fourthsurface, the inside of the first printed circuit board, or the inside ofthe second printed circuit board, and a wireless communication circuitmounted on at least one of the second surface or the third surface andconfigured to transmit and receive a signal having a frequency between 3GHz and 100 GHz, a flexible printed circuit board extended from one endof the first printed circuit board or one end of the second printedcircuit board, and a third printed circuit board having a connectorelectrically connected to the wireless communication circuit through theflexible printed circuit board and disposed between the first plate andthe second plate in parallel with the first plate.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an antenna deviceand an electronic device are provided. The antenna device and anelectronic device includes the same where the electrical connection tothe main board is made by using a RFPCB or a hot-bar soldered circuitboard to thereby remove the connection part for connecting to the mainboard.

In the antenna device and an electronic device including the sameaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure, the connection part forconnecting to the main board is removed, so that the space occupied bythe connection part can be saved and the size of the antenna device canbe reduced.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 4A illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 4B illustrates an antenna device implemented using a rigid flexibleprinted circuit board (RFPCB) according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 4C illustrates an antenna device implemented using a hot baraccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4D illustrates a layered structure of circuit boards in anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4E illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 5A illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 5B illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 6A illustrates an antenna pattern being disposed on a side of oneof a first circuit board and a second circuit board in an antenna deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6B illustrates an antenna pattern being disposed on a side of oneof a first circuit board and a second circuit board in an antenna deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7A illustrates an antenna being disposed on sides of both of afirst circuit board and a second circuit board in an antenna deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7B illustrates an antenna being disposed on sides of both of afirst circuit board and a second circuit board in an antenna deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates an antenna being disposed on a back surface of asecond circuit board in an antenna device according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates components of an antenna device being disposed on aback surface of a second circuit board in an antenna device according toan embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10A illustrates an antenna device implemented by interconnectingmultiple modules according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10B illustrates an antenna device implemented by interconnectingmultiple modules according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11A illustrates an antenna device whose modules are interconnectedin consideration of a radiation direction according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 11B illustrates an antenna device whose modules are interconnectedin consideration of a radiation direction according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 11C illustrates an antenna device whose modules are interconnectedin consideration of a radiation direction according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates an antenna device being realized in an electronicdevice according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 13A illustrates an antenna device being connected to a main boardaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 13B illustrates an antenna device being connected to a main boardaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 14A illustrates an antenna device being connected to a main boardaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 14B illustrates an antenna device being connected to a main boardaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of thedisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of thedisclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for thepurpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 101 in a network environment100 may communicate with an electronic device 102 via a first network198 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or anelectronic device 104 or a server 108 via a second network 199 (e.g., along-range wireless communication network). According to an embodimentof the disclosure, the electronic device 101 may communicate with theelectronic device 104 via the server 108. According to an embodiment ofthe disclosure, the electronic device 101 may include a processor 120,memory 130, an input device 150, a sound output device 155, a displaydevice 160, an audio module 170, a sensor module 176, an interface 177,a haptic module 179, a camera module 180, a power management module 188,a battery 189, a communication module 190, a subscriber identificationmodule (SIM) 196, or an antenna module 197. In some embodiments of thedisclosure, at least one (e.g., the display device 160 or the cameramodule 180) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device101, or one or more other components may be added in the electronicdevice 101. In some embodiments of the disclosure, some of thecomponents may be implemented as single integrated circuitry. Forexample, the sensor module 176 (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an irissensor, or an illuminance sensor) may be implemented as embedded in thedisplay device 160 (e.g., a display).

The processor 120 may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program140) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware orsoftware component) of the electronic device 101 coupled with theprocessor 120, and may perform various data processing or computation.According to one embodiment of the disclosure, as at least part of thedata processing or computation, the processor 120 may load a command ordata received from another component (e.g., the sensor module 176 or thecommunication module 190) in volatile memory 132, process the command orthe data stored in the volatile memory 132, and store resulting data innon-volatile memory 134. According to an embodiment of the disclosure,the processor 120 may include a main processor 121 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), and anauxiliary processor 123 (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), animage signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communicationprocessor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunctionwith, the main processor 121. Additionally or alternatively, theauxiliary processor 123 may be adapted to consume less power than themain processor 121, or to be specific to a specified function. Theauxiliary processor 123 may be implemented as separate from, or as partof the main processor 121.

The auxiliary processor 123 may control at least some of functions orstates related to at least one component (e.g., the display device 160,the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) among thecomponents of the electronic device 101, instead of the main processor121 while the main processor 121 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state,or together with the main processor 121 while the main processor 121 isin an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to anembodiment of the disclosure, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., an ISPor a CP) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., thecamera module 180 or the communication module 190) functionally relatedto the auxiliary processor 123.

The memory 130 may store various data used by at least one component(e.g., the processor 120 or the sensor module 176) of the electronicdevice 101. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g.,the program 140) and input data or output data for a command relatedthererto. The memory 130 may include the volatile memory 132 or thenon-volatile memory 134.

The program 140 may be stored in the memory 130 as software, and mayinclude, for example, an operating system (OS) 142, middleware 144, oran application 146.

The input device 150 may receive a command or data to be used by othercomponent (e.g., the processor 120) of the electronic device 101, fromthe outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The inputdevice 150 may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, or akeyboard.

The sound output device 155 may output sound signals to the outside ofthe electronic device 101. The sound output device 155 may include, forexample, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for generalpurposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and the receivermay be used for an incoming calls. According to an embodiment of thedisclosure, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as partof the speaker.

The display device 160 may visually provide information to the outside(e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The display device 160 mayinclude, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector andcontrol circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display,hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment of thedisclosure, the display device 160 may include touch circuitry adaptedto detect a touch, or sensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adaptedto measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch.

The audio module 170 may convert a sound into an electrical signal andvice versa. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the audiomodule 170 may obtain the sound via the input device 150, or output thesound via the sound output device 155 or a headphone of an externalelectronic device (e.g., an electronic device 102) directly (e.g.,wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device 101.

The sensor module 176 may detect an operational state (e.g., power ortemperature) of the electronic device 101 or an environmental state(e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 101, andthen generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to thedetected state. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the sensormodule 176 may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, anatmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor,a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR)sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, oran illuminance sensor.

The interface 177 may support one or more specified protocols to be usedfor the electronic device 101 to be coupled with the external electronicdevice (e.g., the electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wiredly) orwirelessly. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the interface177 may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface(HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD)card interface, or an audio interface.

A connecting terminal 178 may include a connector via which theelectronic device 101 may be physically connected with the externalelectronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102). According to anembodiment of the disclosure, the connecting terminal 178 may include,for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, oran audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector),

The haptic module 179 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanicalstimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus whichmay be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinestheticsensation. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the hapticmodule 179 may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element,or an electric stimulator.

The camera module 180 may capture a still image or moving images.According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the camera module 180 mayinclude one or more lenses, image sensors, ISPs, or flashes.

The power management module 188 may manage power supplied to theelectronic device 101. According to one embodiment of the disclosure,the power management module 188 may be implemented as at least part of,for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery 189 may supply power to at least one component of theelectronic device 101. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, thebattery 189 may include, for example, a primary cell which is notrechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module 190 may support establishing a direct (e.g.,wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel betweenthe electronic device 101 and the external electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) andperforming communication via the established communication channel. Thecommunication module 190 may include one or more CPs that are operableindependently from the processor 120 (e.g., the AP) and supports adirect (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication.According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the communication module190 may include a wireless communication module 192 (e.g., a cellularcommunication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or aglobal navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or awired communication module 194 (e.g., a local area network (LAN)communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). Acorresponding one of these communication modules may communicate withthe external electronic device via the first network 198 (e.g., ashort-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity(Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the secondnetwork 199 (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as acellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or widearea network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may beimplemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may beimplemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from eachother. The wireless communication module 192 may identify andauthenticate the electronic device 101 in a communication network, suchas the first network 198 or the second network 199, using subscriberinformation (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI))stored in the SIM 196.

The antenna module 197 may transmit or receive a signal or power to orfrom the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of theelectronic device 101. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, theantenna module 197 may include one or more antennas, and, therefrom, atleast one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in thecommunication network, such as the first network 198 or the secondnetwork 199, may be selected, for example, by the communication module190 (e.g., the wireless communication module 192). The signal or thepower may then be transmitted or received between the communicationmodule 190 and the external electronic device via the selected at leastone antenna.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutuallyand communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via aninter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purposeinput and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobileindustry processor interface (MIPI)).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, commands or data may betransmitted or received between the electronic device 101 and theexternal electronic device 104 via the server 108 coupled with thesecond network 199. Each of the electronic devices 102 and 104 may be adevice of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronicdevice 101. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, all or some ofoperations to be executed at the electronic device 101 may be executedat one or more of the external electronic devices 102, 104, or 108. Forexample, if the electronic device 101 should perform a function or aservice automatically, or in response to a request from a user oranother device, the electronic device 101, instead of, or in additionto, executing the function or the service, may request the one or moreexternal electronic devices to perform at least part of the function orthe service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving therequest may perform the at least part of the function or the servicerequested, or an additional function or an additional service related tothe request, and transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronicdevice 101. The electronic device 101 may provide the outcome, with orwithout further processing of the outcome, as at least part of a replyto the request. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing,or client-server computing technology may be used, for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the antenna device 200 (e.g., antenna module 197 inFIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a firstcircuit board 220 and a second circuit board 240.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 220may include a first surface 221 on which a first antenna pattern 210-aor a second antenna pattern 210-b is disposed, and a second surface 223on which at least one of first plural components 231, 233 and 235 isdisposed and facing away from the first surface 221. The first antennapattern 210-a or the second antenna pattern 210-b may constitute anantenna array 210. At least one of the first plural components 231, 233and 235 of the antenna device 200 may be disposed on the second surface223. For example, the first plural components 231, 233 and 235, such as,a component for applying a signal to the first antenna pattern 210-a orthe second antenna pattern 210-b, a component for receiving a signalreceived through the first antenna pattern 210-a or the second antennapattern 210-b, and a communication circuit 233 for controlling theemission of signals of the first antenna pattern 210-a or the secondantenna pattern 210-b, may be disposed on the second surface 223.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna patterns 210-a and210-b may emit communication signals under the control of acommunication module (e.g., communication module 190 in FIG. 1). Theremay be no restriction on the shape of the antenna patterns 210-a and210-b. For example, the first antenna pattern 210-a or the secondantenna pattern 210-b disposed on the first surface 221 may have avariety of shapes in consideration of the radiation efficiency and theposition at which the antenna device 200 is to be placed within theelectronic device (e.g., the electronic device 101 in FIG. 1).

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 200 mayinclude a second circuit board 240 electrically connected to the firstcircuit board 220 and disposed substantially parallel to the firstcircuit board 220. The first circuit board 220 may be electricallyconnected with the second circuit board 220 through at least oneinterposer 239-a or 239-b disposed between the first circuit board 220and the second circuit board 240.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, at least one of second pluralcomponents 232, 234 and 236 of the antenna device 200 may be disposed onthe third surface 241 or the fourth surface 243 of the second circuitboard 240. For example, the second plural components 232, 234 and 236,such as a component for controlling power of the first antenna pattern210-a or the second antenna pattern 210-b, a component for applying asignal to the first antenna pattern 210-a or the second antenna pattern210-b, a component for receiving a signal received through the firstantenna pattern 210-a or the second antenna pattern 210-b, and acommunication circuit for controlling the emission of signals of thefirst antenna pattern 210-a or the second antenna pattern 210-b, may bedisposed on the third surface 241 or the fourth surface 243.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 200 may beconnected to the main board 250 on which the components of theelectronic device 101 are disposed. The antenna device 200 may beelectrically connected to the main board 250, and may radiate signalsused for various communications according to the control of a controlcircuit (e.g., communication module 190 or processor 120 in FIG. 1)disposed on the main board 250. To this end, the antenna device 200 mayinclude a first connection part 237 that can be connected to the mainboard 250. The main board 250 may include a second connection part 253for connection with the antenna device 200. The first connection part237 of the antenna device 200 and the second connection part 253 of themain board 250 may be electrically connected to each other through aconnection member 255 (e.g., cable, or flexible printed circuit board).

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first connection portion237 may also be disposed on the second surface 223 of the first circuitboard 220 or on the third surface 241 of the second circuit board 240.

FIG. 3 illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, an antenna device 300 (e.g., antenna module 197 inFIG. 1) according to an embodiments of the disclosure may include afirst circuit board 330 or a second circuit board 340. The structureidentical to that of the antenna device 200 shown in FIG. 2 will not bedescribed for clarity.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 330(e.g., first circuit board 220 in FIG. 2) may include a first surface323 (e.g., first surface 221 in FIG. 2) on which antenna patterns 310-aand 310-b (e.g., antenna patterns 210-a and 210-b in FIG. 2) aredisposed, and a second surface 321 (e.g., second surface 223 of FIG. 2)on which at least one of first plural components 331, 333 and 335 (e.g.,first plural components 231, 233 and 235 in FIG. 2) constituting theantenna device 300 is disposed and facing away from the first surface323. The first antenna pattern 310-a and the second antenna pattern310-b may constitute an antenna array 310.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 300 mayinclude a second circuit board 340 (e.g., second circuit board 240 inFIG. 2) electrically connected to the first circuit board 320 anddisposed substantially parallel to the first circuit board 320. Thefirst circuit board 320 may be electrically connected with the secondcircuit board 340 through at least one interposer 339-a or 339-b (e.g.,interposers 239-a and 239-b in FIG. 2) disposed between the firstcircuit board 320 and the second circuit board 340.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, at least one of second pluralcomponents 332, 334 and 336 (e.g., second plural components 232, 234 and236 in FIG. 2) of the antenna device 300 may be disposed on the thirdsurface 343 or the fourth surface 345 of the second circuit board 340.For example, the second plural components 332, 334 and 336, such as acomponent for controlling power of the first antenna pattern 310-a orthe second antenna pattern 310-b, a component for applying a signal tothe first antenna pattern 310-a or the second antenna pattern 310-b, acomponent for receiving a signal received through the first antennapattern 310-a or the second antenna pattern 310-b, and a communicationcircuit for controlling the emission of signals of the first antennapattern 310-a or the second antenna pattern 310-b, may be disposed onthe third surface 343 or on the fourth surface 345.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 300 may beconnected to the main board 351 (e.g., the main board 250 in FIG. 2) onwhich the components of the electronic device 101 are disposed. To thisend, the antenna device 300 may include a first connection part 341 thatcan be connected to the main board 351. The main board 351 may include asecond connection part 353 (e.g., second connection part 253 in FIG. 2)for connection with the antenna device 300. The first connection part341 of the antenna device 300 and the second connection part 353 of themain board 351 may be electrically connected through a connection member355 (e.g., cable, or flexible printed circuit board).

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first connection part 353may be disposed on an upper section of the second circuit board 340.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 or 3, the antenna device and the mainboard can be electrically connected by connecting the connection part ofthe antenna device (e.g., antenna device 200 in FIG. 2 or antenna device300 in FIG. 3) to the connection part of the main board. The connectionpart may be implemented by using a board-to-board (b-to-b) connector ora receptacle.

FIG. 4A illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4A, an antenna device 400 according to variousembodiments of the disclosure may include a first circuit board 401 anda second circuit board 430. The antenna device 400 may be disposedinside the housing 490.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the housing 490 may include afirst plate 493, a second plate 491 facing the opposite direction of thefirst plate 493, and a side member 495 surrounding the space between thefirst plate 493 and the second plate 491. The antenna device 400 may bedisposed in a region of the space formed by the first plate 493, thesecond plate 491, and the side member 495.

The first circuit board 401 may be electrically connected to the secondcircuit board 430 through a first interposer 419-a or a secondinterposer 419-b disposed between the first circuit board 401 and thesecond circuit board 430.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 401may include a first surface 403 on which the first antenna pattern 411-aor the second antenna pattern 411-b is disposed, and a second surface405 parallel to the first surface 403. The first surface 403 may face afirst direction and the second surface 405 may face a second directionopposite to the first direction. At least one of first plural components413, 415 and 417 of the antenna device may be disposed on the secondsurface 405. For example, the first plural components 413, 415 and 417including various components, such as a component for applying a signalto the first antenna pattern 411-a or the second antenna pattern 411-b,a component for receiving a signal received through the first antennapattern 411-a or the second antenna pattern 411-b, and a communicationcircuit 415 for controlling the emission of signals of the first antennapattern 411-a or the second antenna pattern 411-b, may be disposed onthe second surface 405. The communication circuit 415 may transmit orreceive a signal having a frequency between 3 GHz and 100 GHz.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the size of the antennapatterns 411-a and 411-b may differ depending on the wavelength of asignal radiated by the antenna patterns 411-a and 411-b. For example, ifthe frequency of the signal radiated by the antenna patterns 411-a and411-b is 60 GHz and the wavelength thereof is 1/60 nm, the length of theantenna patterns 411-a and 411-b may be 1/120 nm. The first surface 403on which the antenna patterns 411-a and 411-b are disposed may be madeof a dielectric. The first antenna pattern 411-a and the second antennapattern 411-b may constitute an antenna array 411. Although the antennapatterns 411-a and 411-b are shown in a rectangular shape in FIG. 4A,the shapes of the antenna patterns 411-a and 411-b are not limited andvarious shapes may be used depending on the designer's intention.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna patterns 411-a and411-b may have various shapes, such as a rectangle, a square, and acircle. Antenna patterns having various shapes can be disposed on thefirst surface 403 in consideration of the radiation efficiency and theposition at which the antenna device 400 is to be placed within theelectronic device (e.g., the electronic device 101 in FIG. 1).

In various embodiments of the disclosure, at least one of second pluralcomponents 412, 414 and 416 of the antenna device 400 may be disposed onthe third surface 431 or the fourth surface 433 of the second circuitboard 430. For example, the second plural components 412, 414 and 416,such as a component for controlling the power of the first antennapattern 411-a or the second antenna pattern 411-b, a component forapplying a signal to the first antenna pattern 411-a or the secondantenna pattern 411-b, a component for receiving the signal receivedthrough the first antenna pattern 411-a or the second antenna pattern411-b, and a communication circuit 415 for controlling the emission ofsignals of the first antenna pattern 411-a or the second antenna pattern411-b, may be disposed on the third surface 431 or on the fourth surface433.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 401may be made of a rigid flexible printed circuit board (RFPCB). The RFPCBmay include a rigid area 410 that is hard and non-bendable, and aflexible area 420 that has ductility and can be flexibly bent. At leastone of the first plural components 413, 415 and 417 may be mounted onthe rigid area 410, and the flexible area 420 may be electricallyconnected with the rigid area 410. At least one of the antenna patterns411-a, 411-b of the antenna device 400 or the first plural components413, 415 and 417 of the antenna device 400 may be disposed in the rigidarea 410. A section of the flexible area 420 may be electricallyconnected to another board. For example, a section of the flexible area420 may be electrically connected to the connection part 443 of the mainboard 441 on which the components of the electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 101 in FIG. 1) are mounted.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the antennadevice 400, the first circuit board 401 may be realized using a RFPCBwithout a separate connection part (e.g., first connection part 237 inFIG. 2, or first connection part 341 in FIG. 3), and thus the spaceoccupied by the connection part can be reduced. In addition, it ispossible to reduce the noise of a signal that may be caused by theconnection part.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 401may be disposed substantially parallel to the first plate 493 and may bedisposed between the second printed circuit board 430 and the secondplate 491.

FIG. 4B illustrates an antenna device implemented using a RFPCBaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the antenna device 400 may include a first circuitboard 401 implemented with a RFPCB, and a second circuit board 430electrically connected to the first circuit board 401 through a firstinterposer 419-a and a second interposer 419-b.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 401may include a rigid area 410 and a flexible area 420. The rigid area 410is a region having hardness and may not be bent well. The flexible area420 may be flexibly bent.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna patterns 411-a,411-b, 411-c and 411-d of the antenna device 400 may be disposed in therigid area 412 of the first circuit board 401. Although not shown inFIG. 4B, various components (e.g., first plural components 413, 415 and417 in FIG. 4A) of the antenna device 400 may be disposed on the secondsurface 403 of the first circuit board 401.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, a stiffener having a hardcharacteristic may be laminated on the back surface of a connectormounted on the surface of a section 421 of the flexible area 420. Due tothe laminated stiffener, the section 421 may be hard. The section 421may be electrically connected to the main board (e.g., main board 441 inFIG. 4A) of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 101 inFIG. 1). As the section 421 of the flexible area 420 is electricallyconnected to the connection part 443 of the main board 441, electricalsignals can be transmitted and received between the antenna device 400and various components arranged on the main board 441.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, at least one of the secondplural components 435 and 437 of the antenna device 400 may be disposedon the third surface 431 of the second circuit board 430 of the antennadevice 400. For example, the second plural components (e.g., secondplural components 413, 415 and 417 in FIG. 4A) that may be included inthe antenna device 400, such as a circuit for controlling the powersupply of the antenna device 400, a component for receiving the signalreceived through the antenna patterns 411-a, 411-b, 411-c and 411-d, anda communication circuit (e.g., communication module 190 in FIG. 1) forcontrolling the emission of signals of the antenna patterns 411-a,411-b, 411-c and 411-d, may be disposed on the third surface 431 of thesecond circuit board 430.

FIG. 4C illustrates an antenna device implemented using a hot baraccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the antenna patterns 453-a, 453-b, 453-c and 453-dmay be disposed on the first circuit board 401. The antenna patterns453-a, 453-b, 453-c and 453-d may radiate signals under the control ofthe communication circuit (e.g., communication module 190 in FIG. 1).The first circuit board 401 may have a connection terminal 455, whichcan be connected to a signal transmission line 457 connectable to themain board (e.g., main board 441 in FIG. 4A). The signal transmissionline 457 can be in contact with the connection terminal 455, and theelectrical connection between the first circuit board 401 and the mainboard 441 can be made via the signal transmission line 457.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 401 ofthe antenna device 400 may be electrically connected to the signal line457 connectable to the main board by using a soldering process. Thesoldering process can bond metals together using heat or the like. Forexample, the connection terminals 455 on the first circuit board 401 ofthe antenna device 400 and the terminals of the signal transmission line457 may be electrically connected in the form of a hot bar by asoldering process.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C may include an embodiment wherethe first circuit board 401 on which the antenna patterns 411-a, 411-b,411-c and 411-d are disposed is implemented by using a RFPCB or a hotbar. In various embodiments of the disclosure, the second circuit board430 may be implemented by using a RFPCB or a hot bar.

FIG. 4D illustrates a layered structure of circuit boards in anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4D, the first circuit board 401 (e.g., first circuitboard 401 in FIG. 4A) may include plural first insulating layers 471 aor plural first wiring layers 471 b disposed between the adjacent firstinsulating layers 471 a stacked between one surface (e.g., first surface403 in FIG. 4A) and the other surface (e.g., second surface 405 in FIG.4A). In an embodiment of the disclosure, at least some of the firstwiring layers 471 b include a conductive patch (e.g., antenna patch 411in FIG. 4A), so that some of the antenna patterns (e.g., antennapatterns 411-a, 411-b, 411-c and 411-d in FIG. 4A) may be formed in thefirst circuit board 401. In various embodiments of the disclosure, therigid area 410 (e.g., rigid area 410 in FIG. 4A) may include at leastone first ground plane 471 g being one of the first wiring layers 471 b.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the conductive patch may be utilizedas an antenna pattern of a communication device (e.g., communicationmodule 190 in FIG. 1), and may be disposed on an edge of the firstinsulating layers 471 a. Here, the “edge” may indicate the top surface(or bottom surface) of the stacked first insulating layers 471 a. Inanother embodiment of the disclosure, the ‘edge’ may refer to a regionadjacent to the side of the rigid area 410 of the first circuit board401 from each of the stacked first insulating layers 471 a.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, at least a portion of theconductive material constituting the wiring layer may be removed(fill-cut) in the other wiring layer at which the conductive patch isnot disposed. In partially removing the conductive material constitutingthe wiring layer, the antenna performance, for example, the radiationperformance of the communication module 190 shown in FIG. 1 and therigidity of the first circuit board 401 can be considered. For example,when a plurality of conductive patches disposed in the rigid area 410 ofthe first circuit board 401 are used as a radiating conductor, topartially remove the conductive material of the wiring layer, theradiation performance of the communication module, the rigidity of thefirst circuit board 401, or the isolation between the conductive patchescan be considered.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first ground plane 471 gmay be a conductive plate substantially corresponding to the entire areaof the rigid area 410. The first ground plane 471 g may include, forexample, through holes or openings. For example, with respect to thefirst ground plane 471 g, the first wiring layer(s) 471 b on one side ofthe rigid area 410 and the first wiring layer(s) on the other side ofthe rigid area 410 may be electrically connected via through holesformed in the first ground plane 471 g. The first ground plane 471 gprovided as one of the first wiring layers 471 b may blockelectromagnetic interference between the antenna patterns (e.g., antennapattern 411-a and 411-b in FIG. 4A) and the communication circuit 190,and may provide the reference potential to thereby stabilize the radiowave transmission and reception environment of the antenna patterns411-a and 411-b.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the flexible area 420 (e.g.,flexible area 420 in FIG. 4A) of the first circuit board 401 may be aflexible printed circuit board, and may be realized using amulti-layered circuit board in which a plurality of second insulatinglayers 473 a and a plurality of second wiring layers 473 b arealternately stacked. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the number ofthe second insulating layers 473 a may be the same as or different fromthe number of the first insulating layers 471 a. The flexible area 420may include at least one electrically conductive path connecting thefirst circuit board (e.g., first circuit board 401 in FIG. 4A) and themain board (e.g., main board 441 in FIG. 4A) together. For example, theconductive path may be formed along the second insulating layers 473 ato transmit power or control signals provided from the power managementmodule or the processor. In an embodiment of the disclosure, theflexible area 420 may include a conductive path for transmitting acommunication signal provided by a wireless transceiver or fortransmitting a communication signal received through the communicationmodule 190 to the wireless transceiver. In an embodiment of thedisclosure, the conductive path(s) of the flexible area 420 may beformed on at least some of the second wiring layers 473 b.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, some of the conductive paths of theflexible area 420 may be electrically connected to the first groundplane 471 g. For example, the conductive paths of the flexible area 420may include transmission paths for the delivery of power or controlsignals, and ground conductors arranged between these signaltransmission paths. For example, some of the conductive paths of theflexible area 420 may be provided as ground conductors connected to thefirst ground plane 471 g, suppressing electromagnetic interferencebetween the signal transmission paths.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, at least one of the secondinsulating layers 473 a may be connected to at least one of the firstinsulating layers 471 a. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the secondinsulating layers 473 a may be extended from one of the first insulatinglayers 471 a. For example, some of the first insulating layers 471 a maybe further extended from the side of the flexible area 420 to form atleast some of the second insulating layers 473 a. In an embodiment ofthe disclosure, at least one of the second wiring layers 473 b may beconnected to at least one of the first wiring layers 471 b. At least oneof the second wiring layers 473 b may be extended from one of the firstwiring layers 471 b. For example, some of the first wiring layers 471 bmay be further extended to form the second wiring layers 473 b.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, at least one of the secondwiring layers 473 b may be provided as a second ground plane 473 g. Inan embodiment of the disclosure, the second ground plane 473 g may bedisposed between some of the second wiring layers 473 b carryingcommunication signals and some other of the second wiring layers 473 bcarrying power (or control signals). For example, the second groundplane 473 g can improve stability of communication signal transmissionor stability of power (or control signal) transmission. In an embodimentof the disclosure, the second ground plane 473 g may be at leastpartially coplanar with the first ground plane 471 g. In an embodimentof the disclosure, to ensure stability of communication signaltransmission, the flexible area 420 may further include additionalground conductors or via conductors. The shape and arrangement ofadditional ground conductors or via conductors can be differentlydesigned in consideration of the flexible area 420 to be actuallyfabricated and its conductive paths.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the second insulating layers473 a may be extended from some of the first insulating layers 471 a,and the second wiring layers 473 b may be extended from some of thefirst wiring layers 471 b. In an embodiment of the disclosure, at leastsome of the second wiring layers 473 b may provide conductive paths fortransmitting power, control signals, or communication signals. One ofthe second wiring layers 473 b may form a ground plane (e.g., secondground plane 413 g) between a conductive path for transmitting acommunication signal and a conductive path for transmitting power or acontrol signal. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the conductive pathcarrying a communication signal may be disposed between the wiringlayers provided as a ground plane. In an embodiment of the disclosure,the conductive path carrying power or a control signal may be disposedbetween the other wiring layers provided as a ground plane. For example,the flexible area 420 provided with a plurality of wiring layers as aground plane may provide a shielding environment for conductive pathsfor transmitting a communication signal or for conductive paths fortransmitting power or a control signal. In an embodiment of thedisclosure, the conductive path may be formed only in one wiring layeramong the first wiring layers 471 b or the second wiring layers 473 b,and may be formed via another adjacent wiring layer through via holes orthe like formed in the first insulating layers 471 a or the secondinsulating layers 473 a if necessary.

FIG. 4E illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4E, the antenna device 400 according to variousembodiments of the disclosure may include a first circuit board 401 anda second circuit board 430. The antenna device 400 may be disposedinside the housing 490.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the housing 490 may include afirst plate 493, a second plate 491 facing the opposite direction of thefirst plate 493, and a side member 495 surrounding the space between thefirst plate 493 and the second plate 491. The antenna device 400 may bedisposed in a region of the space formed by the first plate 493, thesecond plate 491, and the side member 495.

The first circuit board 401 may be electrically connected to the secondcircuit board 430 by using the first interposer 419-a or the secondinterposer 419-b disposed between the first circuit board 401 and thesecond circuit board 430.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 401may include a first surface 403 on which the first antenna pattern 411-aor the second antenna pattern 411-b is disposed, and a second surface405 facing away from the first surface 403. The first surface 403 mayface a first direction and the second surface 405 may face a seconddirection opposite to the first direction. At least one of first pluralcomponents (e.g., first plural components 413, 415 and 417 in FIG. 4A)of the antenna device may be disposed on the second surface 405. Forexample, at least one of the first plural components 413, 415 and 417,such as a component for applying a signal to the first antenna pattern411-a or the second antenna pattern 411-b, a component for receiving asignal received through the first antenna pattern 411-a or the secondantenna pattern 411-b, and a communication circuit 415 for controllingthe emission of signals of the first antenna pattern 411-a or the secondantenna pattern 411-b, may be disposed on the second surface 405. Thecommunication circuit 415 may transmit or receive a signal having afrequency between 3 GHz and 100 GHz.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, at least one of second pluralcomponents 412, 414 and 416 of the antenna device 400 may be disposed onthe fourth surface 433 or the third surface 431 of the second circuitboard 430. For example, the second plural components 412, 414 and 416,such as a component for controlling the power of the first antennapattern 411-a or the second antenna pattern 411-b, a component forapplying a signal to the first antenna pattern 411-a or the secondantenna pattern 411-b, a component for receiving the signal receivedthrough the first antenna pattern 411-a or the second antenna pattern411-b, and a communication circuit for controlling the emission ofsignals of the first antenna pattern 411-a or the second antenna pattern411-b, may be disposed on the third surface 431 or on the fourth surface433.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 401may face a portion of the side member 495 and may be disposed betweenthe second circuit board 430 and a portion of the side member 495. Whilethe first circuit board 401 of the antenna device 400 shown in FIG. 4Ais disposed substantially parallel to the first plate 493, the firstcircuit board 401 of the antenna device 400 shown in FIG. 4E may bedisposed substantially perpendicular to the first plate 493. Inparticular, the first circuit board 401 may be implemented using aRFPCB, and the antenna device 400 can be disposed on various positionsinside the housing 490 due to the high bendability of the flexible area420 in the RFPCB.

FIG. 5A illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the antenna device 500 according to variousembodiments of the disclosure may include a first circuit board 501 anda second circuit board 520 electrically connected to the first circuitboard 501. The antenna device 500 may be placed inside the housing 550.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the housing 550 (e.g., housing490 in FIG. 4A) may include a first plate 555 (e.g., first plate 493 inFIG. 4A), a second plate 551 (e.g., second plate 491 in FIG. 4A) facingthe opposite direction of the first plate 555, and a side member 553(e.g., side member 495 in FIG. 4A) surrounding the space between thefirst plate 555 and the second plate 551.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna patterns 511-a and511-b may be disposed on the first surface 503 of the first circuitboard 501. At least one of first plural components 513, 515 and 517included in the antenna device 500 may be disposed on the second surface505 facing away from the first surface 503. For example, the firstplural components 513, 515 and 517, such as a component for controllingthe power of the antenna patterns 511-a and 511-b, a component forapplying a signal to the antenna patterns 511-a and 511-b, a componentfor receiving the signal received through the antenna patterns 511-a and511-b, and a communication circuit 515 for controlling the radiation ofsignals of the antenna patterns 511-a and 511-b, may be disposed on thesecond surface 505. The first antenna pattern 511-a and the secondantenna pattern 511-b may constitute an antenna array 511. Thecommunication circuit 515 may transmit or receive a signal having afrequency between 3 GHz and 100 GHz.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 501may be electrically connected to the second circuit board 520 through afirst interposer 519-a or a second interposer 519-b disposed between thefirst circuit board 501 and the second circuit board 520.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the second circuit board 520may be implemented using a RFPCB. The RFPCB may be a circuit boardincluding a rigid area 525 with hardness and being not bendable, and aflexible area 527 with ductility and being flexibly bendable. At leastone of plural components (not shown) may be mounted on the rigid area525, and the flexible area 527 may be electrically connected to therigid area 525. In FIG. 5A, at least one of the second plural components512, 514 and 516 of the antenna device 500 may be disposed on the thirdsurface 521 or the fourth surface 523 of the second circuit board 520 inthe rigid area 525 of the second circuit board 520. One end of theflexible area 527 of the second circuit board 520 may be connected tothe connection part 543 of the main board 541. The flexible area 527 mayserve as a signal transmission line between the antenna device 500 andthe main board 541.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 501disposed substantially parallel to the first plate 555 may be placedbetween the second circuit board 520 and the second plate 551.

FIG. 5B illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the antenna device 500 according to variousembodiments of the disclosure may include a first circuit board 501 anda second circuit board 520 electrically connected to the first circuitboard 501. The antenna device 500 may be disposed inside the housing550.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the housing 550 (e.g., housing490 in FIG. 4A) may include a first plate 555 (e.g., first plate 493 inFIG. 4A), a second plate 551 (e.g., second plate 491 in FIG. 4A) facingthe opposite direction of the first plate 551, and a side member 553(e.g., side member 495 in FIG. 4A) surrounding the space between thefirst plate 555 and the second plate 551.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna patterns 511-a and511-b may be disposed on the first surface 503 of the first circuitboard 501. At least one of first plural components 513, 515 and 517included in the antenna device 500 may be disposed on the second surface505 facing away from the first surface 503. For example, the firstplural components 513, 515 and 517, such as a component for controllingthe power of the antenna patterns 511-a and 511-b, a component forapplying a signal to the antenna patterns 511-a and 511-b, a componentfor receiving the signal received through the antenna patterns 511-a and511-b, and a communication circuit 515 for controlling the emission ofsignals of the antenna patterns 511-a and 511-b, may be disposed on thesecond surface 505. The first antenna pattern 511-a and the secondantenna pattern 511-b may constitute an antenna array 511. Thecommunication circuit 515 may transmit or receive a signal having afrequency between 3 GHz and 100 GHz.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 501may be electrically connected to the second circuit board 520 through afirst interposer 519-a or a second interposer 519-b disposed between thefirst circuit board 501 and the second circuit board 520. At least oneof the second plural components 512, 514 and 516 of the antenna device500 may be disposed in the rigid area 525 of the second circuit board520.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the second circuit board 520may be implemented using a RFPCB. The RFPCB may be a circuit board thatincludes a rigid area 525 being hard and non-bendable and a flexiblearea 527 being ductile and flexibly bent. At least one of the secondplural components 512, 514 and 516 may be mounted in the rigid area 525,and the flexible area 527 may be electrically connected to the rigidarea 525. In FIG. 5B, the second plural components 512, 514 and 516 ofthe antenna device 500 may be disposed in the rigid area 525 of thesecond circuit board 520. One end of the flexible area 527 of the secondcircuit board 520 may be connected to the connection part 543 of themain board 541. The flexible area 527 may serve as a signal transmissionline between the antenna device 500 and the main board 541.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 501may face a portion of the side member 553 and may be disposed betweenthe second circuit board 520 and a portion of the side member 553. Whilethe first circuit board 501 of the antenna device 500 shown in FIG. 5Ais disposed substantially parallel to the first plate 555, the firstcircuit board 501 of the antenna device 500 shown in FIG. 5B may bedisposed substantially perpendicular to the first plate 555. Inparticular, the second circuit board 520 may be implemented using aRFPCB, due to the flexible nature of the flexible area 527 of the RFPCB,the antenna device 500 can be placed in various directions (e.g., in adirection toward the second plate 551, or in a direction toward the sidemember 553).

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B, one ofthe first circuit board (e.g., first circuit board 401 in FIG. 4A, orfirst circuit board 501 in FIG. 5A) and the second circuit board (e.g.,second circuit board 430 in FIG. 4A, or second circuit board 520 in FIG.5A) is implemented using a RFPCB, so that the antenna device (e.g.,antenna device 400 in FIG. 4A, or antenna device 500 in FIG. 5A) doesnot need to have a separate connection terminal. Consequently, the spaceoccupied by the connection terminals can be saved, and a separatebonding process between the antenna devices 400 or 500 and the mainboard 441 or 451 can be omitted, thereby simplifying the manufacturingprocess.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an antenna pattern being disposed on a sideof one of a first circuit board and a second circuit board in an antennadevice according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 400 mayinclude at least one antenna pattern disposed on a side (or, a planeperpendicular to each of the first and second surfaces, or a planeperpendicular to each of the third and fourth surfaces) of one of thefirst circuit board 401 or the second circuit board 430.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the antenna device 400 may include a first circuitboard 401 having a second surface 405 and a first surface 403 parallelto the second surface 405 and on which the antenna patterns 411-a and411-b are disposed, and a second circuit board 430 placed in parallelwith the first circuit board 401. At least one of first pluralcomponents 413, 415 and 417 may be disposed on the second surface 405.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 400 mayfurther include a third antenna pattern 610 disposed on the side of thesecond circuit board 430. The direction of the signal radiated by thethird antenna pattern 610 may make a preset angle (e.g., 90 degrees)with respect to the direction of the signal radiated by the firstantenna pattern 511-a or the second antenna pattern 511-b.

Although the third antenna pattern 610 is shown enlarged for ease ofexplanation in FIG. 6A, the third antenna pattern 610 may be implementedas being disposed on the side of the second circuit board 430.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 401may be implemented using a RFPCB or a hot bar. When the first circuitboard 401 is implemented using a RFPCB, the first plural components 413,415 and 417 of the antenna device 400 and the antenna patterns 411-a and411-b may be disposed in the rigid area 410, and the flexible area 420may be electrically connected to the connection part 443 of the mainboard 441.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 400including the third antenna pattern 610 can radiate signals in variousdirections, and the efficiency of side radiation can be improved due tothe third antenna pattern 610.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the antenna device 500 may include a first circuitboard 501 a that has a second surface 505 on which various components ofthe antenna device 500 are disposed and a first surface 503 facing awayfrom the second surface 505 and on which the antenna patterns 511-a and511-b are disposed, and a second circuit board 520 parallel to the firstcircuit board 501.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the third antenna pattern 620may be disposed on the side of the second circuit board 520. Thedirection of the signal radiated by the third antenna pattern 620 canmake a preset angle (e.g., 90 degrees) with respect to the direction ofthe signal radiated by the first antenna pattern 511-a or the secondantenna pattern 511-b.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the second circuit board 520may be implemented using a RFPCB or a hot bar. When the second circuitboard 520 is implemented using a RFPCB, at least one of the secondplural components 512, 514 and 516 of the antenna device 500 may bedisposed in the rigid area 525, and the flexible area 527 may beelectrically connected to the connection part 543 of the main board 541.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 500including the third antenna pattern 620 can radiate signals in variousdirections and improve the efficiency of the side radiation due to thethird antenna pattern 620.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate antennas being disposed on sides of a firstcircuit board and a second circuit board in an antenna device accordingto various embodiments of the disclosure.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 400 mayinclude antenna patterns 610 and 710 disposed on the sides (e.g., theside perpendicular to the second surface 405 on which at least one ofthe first plural components 413, 415 and 417 of the antenna device 400may be disposed and perpendicular to the first surface 403 on which theantenna patterns 411-a and 411-b can be arranged, or the sideperpendicular to the third surface 431 facing the first surface 403 andperpendicular to the fourth surface 433 facing the third surface 431 andthe second surface 405) of the first circuit board 401 and the secondcircuit board 430.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the antenna device 400 may include a first circuitboard 401 that has a second surface 405 on which at least one of thefirst plural components 413, 415 and 417 of the antenna device 400 isdisposed and a first surface 403 facing away from the second surface 405and on which the antenna patterns 411-a and 411-b are disposed, and asecond circuit board 430 placed in parallel with the first circuit board401 and on which at least one of the second plural components 412, 414and 416 of the antenna device 400 is disposed.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 401may be implemented using as a RFPCB or a hot bar. When the first circuitboard 401 is implemented using a RFPCB, various components of theantenna device 400 and the first antenna pattern 411-a or the secondantenna pattern 411-b may be disposed in the rigid area 410, and theflexible area 420 may be electrically connected to the connection part443 of the main board 441.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the third antenna pattern 610may be disposed on the side of the second circuit board 430. Thedirection of the signal radiated by the third antenna pattern 610 maymake a preset angle (e.g., 90 degrees) with respect to the direction ofthe signal radiated by the first antenna pattern 411-a or the secondantenna pattern 411-b.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the fourth antenna pattern 710may be disposed on the side of the first circuit board 401. Thedirection of the signal radiated by the fourth antenna pattern 710 maymake a preset angle (e.g., 90 degrees) with respect to the direction ofthe signal radiated by the first antenna pattern 411-a or the secondantenna pattern 411-b. The direction of the signal radiated by thefourth antenna pattern 710 may make a preset angle (e.g., 0 degrees)with respect to the direction of the signal radiated by the secondantenna pattern 710.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 400including the third antenna pattern 610 and the fourth antenna pattern710 can increase the radiation efficiency of signals in the sidedirection. For example, compared to the embodiment of FIG. 6A in whichthe third antenna pattern 610 is arranged, the antenna device 400 canimprove the efficiency of side radiation due to the fourth antennapattern 710.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the third antenna pattern 610and the fourth antenna pattern 710 may be formed respectively on thesides of the first circuit board 401 and the second circuit board 430through a printing process. Although the sizes of the third antennapattern 610 and the fourth antenna pattern 710 are exaggerated in FIG.7A for the ease of explanation, the third antenna pattern 610 and thefourth antenna pattern 710 may be disposed respectively on the sides ofthe first circuit board 401 and the second circuit board 430.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the fourth antenna pattern 710can be mounted in various shapes on the side of the antenna device 400.The fourth antenna pattern 710 may have a dipole antenna structure. Thefourth antenna pattern 710 may be implemented by plating a section ofthe side of the first circuit board 401 to generate an array. Inaddition, the fourth antenna pattern 710 may be formed on at least oneof the multiple layers constituting the first circuit board 401.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the antenna device 500 may include a first circuitboard 501 that has a second surface 505 on which at least one of thefirst plural components 513, 515 and 517 of the antenna device 500 isdisposed and a first surface 503 parallel with the second surface 405and on which the antenna patterns 511-a and 511-b are disposed, and asecond circuit board 520 placed in parallel with the first circuit board501 and on which at least one of the second plural components 512, 514and 516 of the antenna device 500 is disposed.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the second circuit board 520may be implemented using a RFPCB or a hot bar. When the second circuitboard 520 is implemented using a RFPCB, various components of theantenna device 500 may be disposed in the rigid area 525, and theflexible area 527 may be electrically connected to the connection part543 of the main board 541.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the third antenna pattern 620may be formed on the side of the second circuit board 520 electricallyconnected to the first circuit board 501 on which the first antennapattern 511-a or the second antenna pattern 511-b is disposed. Thedirection of the signal radiated by the third antenna pattern 620 maymake a preset angle (e.g., 90 degrees) with respect to the direction ofthe signal radiated by the first antenna pattern 511-a or the secondantenna pattern 511-b.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 500including the third antenna pattern 620 can radiate signals in variousdirections and improve the efficiency of side radiation due to the thirdantenna pattern 620.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the fourth antenna pattern 720may be disposed on the side of the first circuit board 501 on which thefirst antenna pattern 511-a or the second antenna pattern 511-b isdisposed. The direction of the signal radiated by the fourth antennapattern 720 may make a preset angle (e.g., 90 degrees) with respect tothe direction of the signal radiated by the first antenna pattern 511-aor the second antenna pattern 511-b. The direction of the signalradiated by the fourth antenna pattern 720 may make a preset angle(e.g., 0 degree) with respect to the direction of the signal radiated bythe third antenna pattern 620.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 500including the third antenna pattern 620 and the fourth antenna pattern720 may emit signals in various directions. The antenna device 400 canimprove the efficiency of side radiation due to the fourth antennapattern 720 compared to the embodiment of FIG. 6B in which the thirdantenna pattern 620 is disposed.

FIG. 8 illustrates an antenna being disposed on a back surface of asecond circuit board in an antenna device according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, in various embodiments of the disclosure, thesecond circuit board 430 (e.g., second circuit board 430 in FIG. 6A) mayinclude a third surface 431 facing the first circuit board 401 (e.g.,first circuit board 401 in FIG. 6A), and a fourth surface 433 parallelto the third surface 431. At least one of the first plural components413, 415 and 417 of an antenna device 800 (e.g., antenna device 400 inFIG. 6A) may be disposed on the second surface 405, and at least one ofthe second plural components 412, 414 and 416 may be disposed on thethird surface 431. The first antenna pattern 411-a or the second pattern411-b of the antenna device 800 may be disposed on the first surface 403of the first circuit board 401.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 400 mayinclude a fifth antenna pattern 810-a or a sixth antenna pattern 810-bdisposed on the fourth surface 433 of the second circuit board 430. Thedirection of the signal emitted by the fifth antenna pattern 810-a orthe sixth antenna pattern 810-b may make a specific angle (e.g., 180degrees) with respect to the direction of the signal emitted by thefirst antenna pattern 411-a or the second pattern 411-b. The fifthantenna pattern 810-a and the sixth antenna pattern 810-b may constitutean antenna array 810.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the fifth antenna pattern810-a or the sixth antenna pattern 810-b may be formed in the same shapeas the first antenna pattern 411-a or the second pattern 411-b.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the size of the fifth antennapattern 810-a or the sixth antenna pattern 810-b may vary according tothe wavelength of the signal radiated by the fifth antenna pattern 810-aor the sixth antenna pattern 810-b. For example, the length of the fifthantenna pattern 810-a and the sixth antenna pattern 810-b may be 1/120nm when the frequency of the emitted signal is 60 GHz and the wavelengthis 1/60 nm. The fourth surface 433 on which the fifth antenna pattern810-a or the sixth antenna pattern 810-b is disposed may be implementedusing a dielectric.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 800including the fifth antenna pattern 810-a or the sixth antenna pattern810-b may emit signals in various directions.

FIG. 9 illustrates components of an antenna device being disposed on aback surface of a second circuit board in the antenna device accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, in various embodiments of the disclosure, thesecond circuit board 430 (e.g., second circuit board 430 in FIG. 6A) mayinclude a third surface 431 facing the first circuit board 401 (e.g.,first circuit board 401 in FIG. 6A), and a fourth surface 433 parallelto the third surface 431. At least one of the third plural components911, 913 and 915 of the antenna device 900 (e.g., antenna device 400 inFIG. 6A) may also be disposed on the fourth surface 433. For example,the third plural components 911,913 and 915 that may be included in theantenna device 900, such as a circuit for controlling the power of theantenna device 900, a component for receiving the signal receivedthrough the antenna patterns 411-a and 411-b, and a communicationcircuit 913 for controlling the radiation of the signal of the antennapattern, may be disposed on the fourth surface 433 of the second circuitboard 430.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an antenna device implemented byinterconnecting multiple modules according to various embodiments of thedisclosure.

The modules constituting the antenna device (e.g., the antenna device400 in FIG. 4A, or antenna device 500 in FIG. 5A) according to variousembodiments of the disclosure may be implemented to share one board, andone antenna module may be electrically connected to another antennamodule.

Referring to FIG. 10A, among a first circuit board 1003 and a secondcircuit board 1015 of a first antenna module 1010, a section of thecircuit board implemented using a RFPCB or a hot bar (e.g., flexiblearea of the circuit board implemented using a RFPCB, or soldered signallines of the circuit board implemented using a hot bar) may be connectedto the second antenna module 1020.

Among the first circuit board and the second circuit board of the secondantenna module 1020, a section of the circuit board implemented using aRFPCB or a hot bar (e.g., flexible area of the circuit board implementedusing a RFPCB, or soldered signal lines of the circuit board implementedusing a hot bar) may be connected to the first antenna module 1010. Thefirst antenna module 1010 may include a first circuit board 1003 onwhich antenna patterns (not shown) are arranged, and a second circuitboard 1015 electrically connected to the first circuit board 1003through a first interposer 1011 and a second interposer 1013.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, among the third circuit board1007 and the fourth circuit board 1025 of the second antenna module1020, another section of the circuit board implemented using a RFPCB ora hot bar (e.g., flexible area of the circuit board implemented using aRFPCB, or soldered signal lines of the circuit board implemented using ahot bar) may be electrically connected to the connection part 1033 ofthe main board 1031. The second antenna module 1020 may include thethird circuit board 1007 on which antenna patterns (not shown) aredisposed, and the fourth circuit board 1025 electrically connected tothe third circuit board 1007 through a third interposer 1021 and afourth interposer 1023.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first antenna module 1010and the second antenna module 1020 may be implemented by using one RFPCB1001. The first circuit board 1003 and the third circuit board 1007 mayhave rigidity, and the first circuit board 1003 and the third circuitboard 1007 may be electrically connected through the first flexible area1005. The antenna pattern (not shown) included in the first antennamodule 1010 may be disposed on the first circuit board 1003, and theantenna pattern (not shown) included in the second antenna module 1020may be disposed on the third circuit board 1007. The first antennamodule 1010 and the second antenna module 1020 may be electricallyconnected through the first flexible area 1005. The second antennamodule 1020 can be electrically connected to the connection part 1033 ofthe main board 1031 through the second flexible area 1009.

Referring to FIG. 10B, an example of an antenna device implemented byinterconnecting multiple antenna modules (e.g., N antenna modules) as anenlarged view of the antenna modules shown in FIG. 10A is illustrated.Among the first circuit board and the second circuit board of the N-thantenna module 1040, another section of the circuit board implementedusing a RFPCB or a hot bar (e.g., flexible area of the circuit boardimplemented using a RFPCB, or soldered signal lines of the circuit boardimplemented using a hot bar) may be electrically connected to theconnection part 1033 of the main board 1031.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first antenna module 1010may include a first circuit board 1003 on which an antenna pattern (notshown) is disposed, and a second circuit board 1015 electricallyconnected to the first circuit board 1003 through a first interposer1011 and a second interposer 1013. The N-th antenna module 1020 mayinclude a third circuit board 1047 on which an antenna pattern (notshown) is disposed, and a fourth circuit board 1045 electricallyconnected to the third circuit board 1047 through a fifth interposer1041 and a sixth interposer 1043.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the N antenna modules can beinterconnected in a cascade way. At least some of the multiple antennamodules may include components of the antenna device, and some other ofthe antenna modules may include only antenna patterns. In this case, thecomponents included in one antenna module may be used by another antennamodule.

FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate an antenna device whose modules areinterconnected in consideration of a radiation direction according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the N antenna modules can beelectrically interconnected in various forms according to the signalradiation direction intended by the designer. FIGS. 11A to 11C showexamples in which some of the N antenna modules (e.g., two antennamodules) are arranged according to the intended signal radiationdirection.

Referring to FIG. 11A, the first antenna module 1110 and the secondantenna module 1120 are arranged in parallel. The first antenna module1110 and the second antenna module 1120 arranged in parallel can radiatesignals in the same direction. The arrangement of the first antennamodule 1110 and the second antenna module 1120 shown in FIG. 11A may befor radiating signals in the same direction.

Referring to FIG. 11B, the third antenna module 1130 and the fourthantenna module 1140 are arranged in a vertical direction. The thirdantenna module 1130 and the fourth antenna module 1140 may be arrangedat a preset angle (e.g., 90 degrees). The signals emitted by the thirdantenna module 1130 and the fourth antenna module 1140 may make aspecific angle (e.g., 90 degrees).

Referring to FIG. 11C, the fifth antenna module 1150 and the sixthantenna module 1160 are arranged so that the signals radiated by themform a specific angle (e.g., 180 degrees). The signals emitted by thefifth antenna module 1150 and the sixth antenna module 1160 may make aspecific angle (e.g., 180 degrees).

FIG. 12 illustrates an antenna device being realized in an electronicdevice according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, the electronic device (e.g., electronic device 101in FIG. 1) according to various embodiments of the disclosure mayinclude a main board (e.g., the main board 441 in FIG. 4A), a firstantenna device 1210 (e.g., antenna device 400 in FIG. 4A, or antennadevice 500 in FIG. 5A), a second antenna device 1220 (e.g., antennadevice 400 in FIG. 4A, or antenna device 500 in FIG. 5A), and a thirdantenna device 1230 (e.g., antenna device 400 in FIG. 4A, or antennadevice 500 in FIG. 5A).

In various embodiments of the disclosure, various components included inthe electronic device 101 (e.g., memory 130, processor 120, powermanagement module 188, display 160, and communication module 190 ofFIG. 1) can be mounted on the main board 441. The main board 441 may beelectrically connected to at least one of the first antenna device 1210,the second antenna device 1220, or the third antenna device 1230. Thefirst antenna device 1210, the second antenna device 1220 and the thirdantenna device 1230 may emit or receive a communication signal under thecontrol of the communication module 190 mounted on the main board 441.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first antenna device 1210,the second antenna device 1220, and the third antenna device 1230 mayinclude the antenna device implemented using a RFPCB or a hot bardescribed in FIGS. 4A to 4E, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8 and 9.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first antenna device 1210may have a configuration in which two antenna modules are connected asin the embodiment shown in FIG. 11B. The first antenna device 1210 mayinclude a first antenna module 1212 that radiates signals in the +xdirection, and a second antenna module 1216 that radiates signals in the+y direction. The first antenna module 1212 may include a rigid area1213 in which an antenna pattern for radiating signals in the +xdirection is disposed, and a flexible area 1211 electrically connectedto the main board 441. The first antenna module 1212 may include adipole antenna emitting a signal in the +y direction or in the −ydirection. The second antenna module 1216 may include a rigid area 1217in which an antenna pattern for radiating a signal in the +y directionis disposed, and a flexible area 1215 electrically connected to therigid area 1213 of the first antenna module 1212.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the second antenna device 1220may have a configuration in which two antenna modules are connected asin the embodiment shown in FIG. 11B. The second antenna device 1220 mayinclude a third antenna module 1222 that emits a signal in the +ydirection, and a fourth antenna module 1226 that emits a signal in the−y direction. The third antenna module 1222 may include a rigid area1223 in which a patch antenna radiating a signal in the +y direction isdisposed, and a flexible area 1221 electrically connected to the mainboard 441. The third antenna module 1222 may include a dipole antennaradiating a signal in the +z direction.

The fourth antenna module 1226 may include a rigid area 1227 in which anantenna pattern for radiating signals in the −y direction is disposed,and a flexible area 1225 electrically connected to the rigid area 1223of the third antenna module 1222.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the third antenna device 1230may have a configuration in which two antenna modules are connected asin the embodiment shown in FIG. 11B. The third antenna device 1230 mayinclude a fifth antenna module 1232 that radiates signals in the +xdirection, and a sixth antenna module 1236 that radiates signals in the−y direction. The fifth antenna module 1232 may include a rigid area1233 in which an antenna pattern radiating signals in the +x directionis disposed, and a flexible area 1231 electrically connected to the mainboard 441. The fifth antenna module 1232 may include a dipole antennaradiating a signal in the +y direction or in the −y direction. The sixthantenna module 1236 may include a rigid area 1237 in which an antennapattern radiating signals in the −y direction is disposed, and aflexible area 1235 electrically connected to the rigid area 1233 of thefifth antenna module 1232. The sixth antenna module 1232 may furtherinclude an antenna pattern radiating a signal in a different direction.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first antenna device 1210,the second antenna device 1220, and the third antenna device 1230 shownin FIG. 12 may face at least one of a plurality of planes (e.g., XYplane, YZ plane, and XZ plane). At least one of the first antenna device1210, the second antenna device 1220, or the third antenna device 1330may include a communication module (e.g., communication module 190 inFIG. 1). Although not shown in FIG. 12, the communication module 190 maybe arranged so as to face one plane. For example, if the communicationmodule 190 is included in the second antenna device 1220, it may bearranged to face the XZ plane.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate an antenna device being connected to amainboard according to various embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 13A is atop view of the antenna device, and FIG. 13B is a bottom view of theantenna device.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, antenna devices 1320 and 1330 accordingto various embodiments of the disclosure may be electrically connectedto the main board (e.g., main mode 441 in FIG. 4A) 1310.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, a plurality of componentsincluded in the antenna devices 1320 and 1330 may be implemented on acircuit board. The circuit board included in the antenna devices 1320and 1330 may be implemented using a RFPCB. The RFPCB may include a rigidarea (e.g., rigid area 410 in FIG. 4A) that is hard and non-bendable,and a flexible areas 1321 and 1331 (e.g., flexible area 420 in FIG. 4A)that is ductile and flexibly bent. At least one of the first pluralcomponents may be mounted in the rigid area 410, and the flexible area420 may be electrically connected to the rigid area 410. In variousembodiments of the disclosure, at least one of the antenna patterns ofthe antenna device 1320 or 1330 (e.g., antenna patterns 411-a and 411-bin FIG. 4A) or the plural components of the antenna device 1320 or 1330may be arranged in the rigid area 410. In various embodiments of thedisclosure, a section of the flexible areas 1321 and 1331 may beelectrically connected to another board. For example, a section of theflexible areas 1321 and 1331 may be electrically connected to theconnection part of the main board 1310 on which the components of theelectronic device (e.g., electronic device 101 in FIG. 1) are mounted.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 400 whosecircuit board is implemented using a RFPCB may not have a separateconnection part (e.g., first connection part 237 in FIG. 2, or firstconnection part 341 in FIG. 3) and thus can save the space occupied bythe connection part. In addition, it is possible to reduce the noise ofa signal that may be caused by the connection part.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, a plurality of components may bearranged on the main board 1310 and the top and bottom of the antennadevice 1320 or 1330. Examples of the components being arranged and theirarrangements are described above with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4Dand 4E.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate an antenna device being connected to a mainboard according to various embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 14A is atop view of the antenna device, and FIG. 14B is a front view of theantenna device.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, antenna devices 1420 and 1430 accordingto various embodiments of the disclosure may be electrically connectedto the main board (e.g., main board 441 in FIG. 4A) 1410.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, a plurality of componentsincluded in the antenna devices 1420 and 1430 may be implemented on acircuit board. The circuit board included in the antenna devices 1420and 1430 may be implemented using a RFPCB. The RFPCB may include a rigidarea (e.g., rigid area 410 in FIG. 4A) that is hard and non-bendable,and a flexible area 1421 or 1431 (e.g., flexible area 420 in FIG. 4A)that is ductile and flexibly bent. At least one of the first pluralcomponents may be mounted in the rigid area 410, and the flexible area420 may be electrically connected to the rigid area 410. In variousembodiments of the disclosure, at least one of the antenna patterns ofthe antenna device 1420 or 1430 (e.g., antenna patterns 411-a and 411-bin FIG. 4A) or the plural components of the antenna device 1420 or 1430may be arranged in the rigid area. In various embodiments of thedisclosure, a section of the flexible area 1421 or 1431 may beelectrically connected to another board. For example, a section of theflexible area 1421 or 1431 may be electrically connected to theconnection part of the main board 1410 on which the components of theelectronic device (e.g., electronic device 101 in FIG. 1) are mounted.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna device 400 whosecircuit board is implemented using a RFPCB may not have a separateconnection part (e.g., first connection part 237 in FIG. 2, or firstconnection part 341 in FIG. 3) and thus can save the space occupied bythe connection part. In addition, it is possible to reduce the noise ofa signal that may be caused by the connection part.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, a plurality of components may bearranged on the main board 1410 and the top and front of the antennadevice 1420 or 1430. Examples of the components being arranged and theirarrangements are described above with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4Dand 4E.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronicdevice may include: a housing (e.g., housing 490 in FIG. 4A) thatincludes a first plate (e.g., first plate 493 in FIG. 4A), a secondplate (e.g., second plate 491 in FIG. 4A) facing the opposite directionof the first plate 493, and a side member (e.g., side member 495 in FIG.4A) surrounding the space between the first plate 493 and the secondplate 493, a display (e.g., display 160 in FIG. 1) viewable through atleast a portion of the first plate 493, an antenna assembly (e.g.,antenna device 400 in FIG. 4A) disposed within the housing 490, whereinthe antenna assembly includes a first printed circuit board (e.g., firstcircuit board 401) having a first surface (e.g., first surface 403 ofFIG. 4A) facing a first direction and a second surface (e.g., secondsurface 405 in FIG. 4A) facing a second direction opposite to the firstdirection, a second printed circuit board (e.g., second circuit board430 in FIG. 4A) spaced apart from the first circuit board 401 and havinga third surface (e.g., third surface 431 in FIG. 4A) facing the firstdirection and facing at least a portion of the second surface 405 and afourth surface (e.g., fourth surface 433 in FIG. 4A) facing the seconddirection, at least one structure (e.g., interposer 419-a or 419-b inFIG. 4A) interconnecting the first printed circuit board 401 and thesecond printed circuit board 430 and having conductive paths, aplurality of conductive patterns 410 (e.g., antenna pattern 411 in FIG.4A) formed at least on the first surface 403, on the fourth surface 433,inside the first printed circuit board 401, or inside the second printedcircuit board 430, and a wireless communication circuit mounted on atleast one of the second surface 405 or the third surface 431 andconfigured to transmit and receive a signal having a frequency between 3GHz and 100 GHz, a flexible printed circuit board (e.g., flexible area420 in FIG. 4A) extended from one end of the first printed circuit board401 or one end of the second printed circuit board 430, and a thirdprinted circuit board (e.g., main board 441 in FIG. 4A) having aconnector (e.g., connection part 443 in FIG. 4A) electrically connectedto the wireless communication circuit through the flexible printedcircuit board and disposed between the first plate 493 and the secondplate 491 in parallel with the first plate 491.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first printed circuitboard 401 may be disposed substantially parallel to the first plate 493and may be placed between the second printed circuit board 430 and thesecond plate 491.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the flexible printed circuitboard 420 may be extended from one end of the first printed circuitboard 401.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the flexible printed circuitboard 420 may be extended from one end of the second printed circuitboard (e.g., second printed circuit board 520 in FIG. 5A).

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first printed circuitboard 420 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the first plate493 and may be placed between the second printed circuit board 430 and aportion of the side member 495.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the flexible printed circuitboard 420 may be extended from one end of the first printed circuitboard (e.g., first printed circuit board 410 in FIG. 4E).

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the flexible printed circuitboard 420 may be extended from one end of the second printed circuitboard (e.g., second printed circuit board 520 in FIG. 5B).

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the plurality of conductivepatterns 411 may include at least one conductive pattern (e.g., fourthantenna pattern 710 in FIG. 7A) disposed on the edge of the firstprinted circuit board (e.g., first printed circuit board 401 in FIG. 7A)and constituting a dipole antenna.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the plurality of conductivepatterns 411 may include at least one conductive pattern (e.g., thirdantenna pattern 610 in FIG. 6A) disposed on the edge of the secondprinted circuit board (e.g., second printed circuit board 610 in FIG.6A) and constituting a dipole antenna.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the plurality of conductivepatterns 411 may constitute a dipole antenna (e.g., a third antennapattern 610 of FIG. 6A, a fourth antenna pattern 710 of FIG. 7A) and/ora patch antenna (e.g., antenna pattern 411 in FIG. 4A).

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the third printed circuitboard 420 may further include a circuit (e.g., communication module 190in FIG. 1) that is electrically connected to the wireless communicationcircuit through the connector 443 and is configured to transmit a signalhaving a frequency between 5 GHz and 25 GHz to the wirelesscommunication circuit.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the first circuit board 401and the flexible printed circuit board 420 may be implemented using aRFPCB, the first circuit board 401 may be implemented using a rigid areaof the RFPCB, and the flexible printed circuit board 420 may beimplemented using a flexible area of the RFPCB.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the second circuit board 520and the flexible printed circuit board 527 may be implemented using aRFPCB, the second circuit board 520 may be implemented using a rigidarea of the RFPCB, and the flexible printed circuit board 527 may beimplemented using a flexible area of the RFPCB.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the flexible printed circuitboard 420 may be soldered to one end of the first printed circuit boardor one end of the second printed circuit board.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device mayfurther include a plurality of conductive patterns (e.g., third antennapattern 610 in FIG. 6A, and fourth antenna pattern 710 in FIG. 7A)formed on at least one of the side of the first circuit board or theside of the second circuit board.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronicdevice may include: at least two antenna modules including a firstantenna module (e.g., first antenna module 1110 in FIG. 11A) and asecond antenna module (e.g., second antenna module 1120 in FIG. 11A),and a main board 441 on which components of the electronic device arearranged, wherein the first antenna module 1110 may include a firstcircuit board 401 having a first surface 403 on which a first antennapattern 411 is disposed and a second surface 405 facing a directionopposite to the first surface, a second circuit board 430 disposed in adirection facing the first surface 403, and at least one firstinterposer 419-a and 419-b disposed between the first circuit board 401and the second circuit board 430 and electrically interconnecting thefirst circuit board 401 and the second circuit board 430, wherein thefirst circuit board 401 may be implemented using a RFPCB having aflexible area (flexible area 410) and a rigid area (rigid area 420),wherein the second antenna module 1120 may include a third circuit board401 having a third surface 403 on which the second antenna pattern 411is disposed and a fourth surface 405 facing a direction opposite to thethird surface 403, a fourth circuit board 430 disposed in a directionfacing the third surface 403, and at least one second interposer 419-aand 419-b disposed between the third circuit board 401 and the fourthcircuit board 430 and electrically interconnecting the third circuitboard 401 and the fourth circuit board 430, wherein the third circuitboard 430 may be implemented using a RFPCB having a flexible area(flexible area 410) and a rigid area (rigid area 420), and wherein aportion of the flexible area of the first circuit board 401 may beelectrically connected to the third circuit board 430 and a portion ofthe flexible area of the third circuit board may be connected to themain board 441.

In the electronic device according to various embodiments of thedisclosure, the third circuit board 430 may be extended from one end ofthe first circuit board 401.

In the electronic device according to various embodiments of thedisclosure, the first antenna pattern 411 and the second antenna pattern411 may constitute at least one of a dipole antenna or a patch antenna.

In the electronic device according to various embodiments of thedisclosure, the first antenna module 1110 may further include at leastone of a third antenna pattern 710 disposed on the side of the firstcircuit board 401 or a fourth antenna pattern 610 disposed on the sideof the second circuit board 430.

In the electronic device according to various embodiments of thedisclosure, the second antenna module 1120 may further include at leastone of a fifth antenna pattern 710 disposed on the side of the thirdcircuit board 401 or a sixth antenna pattern 610 disposed on the side ofthe fourth circuit board 430.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one ofvarious types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include,for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), acomputer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medicaldevice, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According toan embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limitedto those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure andthe terms used therein are not intended to limit the technologicalfeatures set forth herein to particular embodiments and include variouschanges, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment ofthe disclosure. With regard to the description of the drawings, similarreference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements.It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding toan item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevantcontext clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of suchphrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A orB,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A,B, or C,” may include all possible combinations of the items enumeratedtogether in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, suchterms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simplydistinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limitthe components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to beunderstood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to,with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupledwith,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element(e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled withthe other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a thirdelement.

As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented inhardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used withother terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or“circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimumunit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. Forexample, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the module may beimplemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software(e.g., the program 140) including one or more instructions that arestored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 136 or external memory138) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device 101).For example, a processor (e.g., the processor 120) of the machine (e.g.,the electronic device 101) may invoke at least one of the one or moreinstructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with orwithout using one or more other components under the control of theprocessor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at leastone function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The oneor more instructions may include a code generated by a complier or acode executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage mediummay be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein,the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is atangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagneticwave), but this term does not differentiate between where data issemi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data istemporarily stored in the storage medium.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in acomputer program product. The computer program product may be traded asa product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product maybe distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g.,compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g.,downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly. Ifdistributed online, at least part of the computer program product may betemporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in themachine-readable storage medium, such as memory of the manufacturer'sserver, a server of the application store, or a relay server.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, each component(e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components mayinclude a single entity or multiple entities. According to variousembodiments of the disclosure, one or more of the above-describedcomponents may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added.Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modulesor programs) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case,according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the integratedcomponent may still perform one or more functions of each of theplurality of components in the same or similar manner as they areperformed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components beforethe integration. According to various embodiments of the disclosure,operations performed by the module, the program, or another componentmay be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, orheuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in adifferent order or omitted, or one or more other operations may beadded.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference tovarious embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as definedby the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable communication device comprising: ahousing including a front side, and a back side facing a directionopposite to the front side; a printed circuit board including acommunication circuit and a first connector; a first antenna arrayincluding a first antenna and a second antenna disposed to face thefront side such that signals from the first antenna are radiated in adirection corresponding to the front side; and a rigid flexible printedcircuit board (RFPCB) including a rigid area and a flexible area, theRFPCB including a second connector configured to electrically connectwith the printed circuit board by physically connecting to the firstconnector, the RFPCB being electrically connected between the firstantenna array and the printed circuit board according to connectionbetween the first connector and the second connector, wherein the firstantenna and the second antenna are disposed above the rigid area of theRFPCB, wherein the RFPCB includes a transmission line configured totransmit radio frequency (RF) signals generated by the communicationcircuit to the first antenna array, and wherein the RF signals has afrequency between 3 GHz and 100 GHz.
 2. The portable communicationdevice of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit is configured totransmit signals having a frequency range above 6 GHz to the firstantenna array via the RFPCB.
 3. The portable communication device ofclaim 2, wherein the transmission line of the RFPCB is configured fortransmitting signals having the frequency range above 6 GHz.
 4. Theportable communication device of claim 1, wherein the first antennaarray is disposed adjacent to an upper portion of the front side of thehousing.
 5. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein thefirst antenna array includes a plurality of conductive patch antennas.6. A portable communication device comprising: a device enclosure havingexterior surfaces including a front surface facing a first direction anda rear surface facing a second direction opposite to the firstdirection; a printed circuit board including a first connector; acommunication module mounted on the printed circuit board; a firstantenna array including a first antenna and a second antenna disposed toface the front surface such that the first antenna and the secondantenna radiate signals in the first direction; and a rigid flexibleprinted circuit board (RFPCB) including a rigid area and a flexiblearea, the RFPCB including a second connector configured to electricallyconnect with the printed circuit board by physically connecting to thefirst connector, the RFPCB being electrically connected between thefirst antenna array and the printed circuit board by connecting thefirst connector to the second connector, wherein the first antenna andthe second antenna are disposed on the rigid area of the RFPCB, whereinradio frequency (RF) signals, having a frequency between 3 GHz and 100GHz, generated by the communication module are transmitted to the firstantenna array via the first connector of the printed circuit board andthe second connector and transmission lines of the flexible area of theRFPCB.
 7. The portable communication device of claim 6, wherein thetransmission lines are disposed on the flexible area of the RFPCB.